The Rolling Stones Aren’t Playing Coachella… But Lou Reed Is

After weeks of speculation that The Rolling Stones would play the indie/alternative rock/dance music festival Coachella, it turns out that they won’t be taking the stage at the California concert event after all. The festival announced it’s lineup a few hours ago, and the Stones are not on the bill.

Last month, an April 12 date in Indio, California showed up in the “upcoming tour dates” section on the band’s official iPhone app — and was quickly taken down. Coachella, in fact, kicks off on April 12 and takes place in Indio – so this led to speculation that the band would be on the bill.

But earlier this week, Mick Jagger reportedly told U.K. publication NME that the band won’t play Coachella, because “We’re not gonna be ready by April.”

Although the Stones won’t make it to the desert, Lou Reed will: he’s scheduled to play Friday April 12 and Friday April 19 (the festival keeps the exact same lineup for two weekends). Lately, Reed has been promoting his book of photography, titled Rhymes. He doesn’t have any other tour dates scheduled, according to his website.

As for the Stones, there’s still no news about any 2013 dates. Will they play a different U.S. festival this year? They might be a better fit for some of the other U.S. festivals that take place after Coachella.

One likely choice could be Bonnaroo, which got its start as a jam-band festival but has expanded its reach. In recent years, the festival as had many Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame headliners including The Police, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, James Brown, Neil Young (both solo and with Buffalo Springfield), Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and Metallica. Bonnaroo hits Manchester, Tennessee June 13-16.

Another logical choice would be the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which takes place in Austin, Texas in October. That festival grew out of the Austin City Limits TV program. Other legendary acts to play that festival include The Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Steve Winwood, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Van Morrison.

It’s also noteworthy that, while most people who attend Coachella and Bonnaroo camp on the festival grounds, Austin City Limits is held at Zilker Park (where the Stones have previously held their own concerts), and is not a camping event and many of the band’s fans may prefer the idea of going to a hotel after the show, as opposed to pitching a tent and roughing it.